RMT BACKS THAMES FISHING PROTEST AGAINST CFP

www.rmt.org.uk :: may 2007 :: RMTnews R MT backed a protest by UK fishermen on the river Thames recently to demand an end to the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy and for the sustainable and democratic management of UK fishing grounds. Over 60 fishing vessels made the journey up the Thames “Under EU fishing rules, Britain’s inshore fishermen have had their fishing quotas mismanaged, while foreign vessels are overfishing UK inshore grounds by hoovering up thousands of tonnes of fish,” Bob Crow said. “The Common Fisheries Policy has become a by-word for unsustainable fishing, waste and environmental devastation, and it is time it came to an end. “For sustainable fishing we must withdraw from the CFP and manage our affairs democratically, like Iceland, Norway and other countries, in the interests of our fishing communities and the environment,” he said. DEVASTATION The size of fishing fleets of EU member states is governed by rules set by EU Council of Fisheries Ministers. Each year more and more foreign fishing fleets are allowed to fish in UK waters. The Netherlands, Germany and Spain have benefited from the quota system decided in Brussels. This has meant that while UK fishing boats are ‘tied up’ in port foreign fleets can fish, leading to a devastating decline in fish stocks. However, Iceland and Greenland control their own fishing grounds up to 200 miles from the coast in line with international treaties. Norway also controls its own fishing grounds in the North Sea and in a 200 miles zone where applicable. As a result, the fishing industry in these three states is a thriving key sector of their economies and contributes towards a large part of their export trade. Southern North Sea Inshore Fisherman’s Association secretary Martin Yorwarth welcomed RMT support and described the EU quota system as “a complete disaster”. “Fishing quota mismanagement has meant that only a tiny percentage is held by bona fide inshore fishermen. “Over 30 per cent of quota is held by ‘quota traders’ and the rest is divided up between larger fishing vessels and foreign supertrawlers sailing under the UK flag despite the fact they never land in this country,” he said. Moreover, over the last two years, Dutch-owned ships have been unable to catch their Dover Sole quota in UK waters due to their huge fuel bill. Dutch fishing vessels must use 60,000 litres per fishing trip to reach UK waters as opposed to the 100 litres per day used by UK boats. “It is about time the government defended this important national resource and stood up for the rights of inshore fishermen,” said Martin. If ratified, the proposed EU Constitution would formally enshrine fisheries policy as an ‘exclusive competence’ reserved for EU institutions and place fisheries policy outside the jurisdiction of member states. RMT BACKS THAMES FISHING PROTEST AGAINST CFP